Weaknesses For Each Man
Andre Dirrell
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As with many slick fighters, Andre Dirrell runs the risk of getting caught with a good punch if his opponent has better speed, timing, and accuracy than he can react to. It will be important for Dirrell to feel those qualities out before he becomes too comfortable depending on his reflexes and dropping his hands in punching range.
Dirrell likes to pick his shots to break down his opponents. While I can’t take anything away from his outside work, he does run the risk of being outworked by his opponent if he only sticks with jabs and crosses. Dirrell will need to use his efficiencies on the outside to set up combinations and inside exchanges.
James DeGale
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James DeGale needs to be in a zone to perform optimally in the ring. He displays a strong confidence at the first bell, coming from the corner aggressive and ready to fight. DeGale needs that confidence to be fluid in his head movement, footwork, and combinations.
Part of that confidence comes from being first in the exchanges. DeGale is excellent at getting the jump on somebody before they can him, but if Andre Dirrell pushes to be first in the exchanges, controls the place, and disrupts DeGale’s timing, he can have a problem or two in the ring.
He may also have some trouble if Dirrell can effectively cut off the ring.
